Apparatus for hair waving



Jan. 16, 1940. R. M. KEELE APPARATUS FOR HAIR WAVING Original Filed May 16, 1936 E IN V EN TOR.

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ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 16,1940 a 2,187,474

UNITED STATES PATENT .OFFICE APPARATUS FOR HAIR WAVING Ralph M. Keele, San Francisco, Calif., assignor,

by direct and mesne assignments, to Keelmo Co., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of California Application May 16, 1938, Serial No. 80,129 Renewed June 13, 1938 9 Claims. (01. 132-36) This invention relates to apparatus for 50- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the casing porcalled permanen waving hair on the human tion of the heater unit.

head, and particularly pertains to that type of Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view such apparatus for practicing what is known as through the heater unit taken on line III-III of 5 the Croquignole method of permanent waving. Fig. 4.

In this method of waving hair, the hair is Fig. 4 is an enlarged central longitudinal sectreated with a softening solution and is then tion through the heater unit taken on line IV-IV divided into flat strands and a protector pad and of Fig. 3. clamp is applied to the base of each strand closely Referring more particularly to the accompanyadjacent to the scalp to protect the scalp and to ing drawing, l0 indicates a heater unit forming hold the strand for further treatment. Each the major part of the apparatus constituting the strand of hair is then wound flatwise from its free subject matter of my invention. This heater unit end to the clamp on a curler spindle which is includes a hollow casing Ii, most clearly illusthen usually connected with the clamp and turned trated in Figs. 2 and 3, which is substantially recto place the hair under tension. The wound tangular in outline with a thickness somewhat l5 strand together with moisture is then enclosed less than its width. The marginal side edges in what is usually termed a heater, and heat is of this casing II are semi-cylindrical and the applied to a degree sufflcient to vaporize the moiscurvature of both the exterior and interior of ture and cause it to penetrate the wound strand such edges is carried out as illustrated to give and effect the wave. the effect of two hollow cylinders arranged with The process of waving hair and apparatus for their axes parallel and with their adjacent side practicing it just described is the most commonly walls intersecting along a line which is at a disemployed and has a number of shortcomings. tance from the centers of said cylinders which is These shortcomings are principally due to the just slightly less than half the diameter of the $5 provision of the pads and clamps which, due cylinders. Thus, the interior of said casing forms to their, length and thickness, obviously prevents a substantially cylindrical and elongated chargthe wave from being spaced a uniform short dising chamber l2 and a substantially cylindrical tance from the scalp. Further, the application and elonga ed curling chamber which a of such pads and clamps consumes considerable he are a a ged Si e by side in parallelism and m of the operator's time, and the weight thereof on in direct communication with each other through the head adds to the discomfort of the waving h elongated n rr w d p nin l5 etween them. operations, The end walls iii of the casing are substantially It is the principal object of my present invenfiat a ou y mold 111150 e ma ginal ed es tion to provide an improved and highly efllcient at one side of the casing as indicated. The end 36 apparatus for use in practicing the Croquignole Walls and the side walls Of the casing H are in- 85 method of permanent waving, which apparatus tegrally formed of resilient vulcanized rubber. effects a superior form of wave and overcomes Each Of the end walls is formed with a circular the shortcomings of the apparatus heretofore Opening which Openings are in a i alignment employed, in that it simplifies the operations reand disposed concentric with relation to the curl- 40 quired to effect a wave so as to minimize the time s c be Between these en s and the to required to wave a head of hair, permits the ap j c marginal edges 01 the i the end plication of a, greater number of curlers to be apwalls are centrally divided as at '8 and said adplied to a head of hair than can be applied by Jacent marginal edge is correspondingly centrally use of prior methods and apparatus so that and longitudinally divided so that the portions 5 wave may be produced which will be uniformly 0f the casing at opposite sides of the division conspaced and comparatively close to the scalp, and stitutes two complemen a clamping lips [8a and which apparatus reduces the weight applied to lab, W c ay e separated in a direction a the head so as to reduce the discomfort of the right angles to the axis of the curler chamber so waving operations. that the casing may be fitted over a curler spindle One form which the invention may assume is as will be hereinafter described. 50 exemplified in the following description and illus- The casing ll of the heater unit is enclosed in trated by way of example in the accompanying a heater unit frame l9 which comprises two com-- drawing, in which: plemental rigid Jaw sections 20, which are spaced Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a heater unit emapart to receive the casing I I therebetween. u bodying the preferred form of my invention, These jaws are preferably Iormed of pressed sheet 66 metal or molded Bakelite, or a like substance having suflicient strength and rigidity, and are of a formation that they snugly nest over the sides of the casing as illustrated. At the side of the casing H opposite the clamping lips thereof, the jaw sections 20 of the frame are each formed with a projecting grip member 2|, which are located substantially midway between the opposite ends of the jaw sections. Substantially at the junction between the grip members 2| and the jaw sections 20, the latter are formed with inturned complemental hinge lugs 22 which are hinged together to articulately connect the jaws so that the latter may be relatively moved.

The side edges of the jaws opposite the hinge connection therebetween are curved inwardly and are detachably united with the clamping lips la and lb of the casing II. From the drawing it will be noticed that at the edges of these clamping lips they are longitudinally grooved to receive the inturned edges of the jaw sections 20, and complemental connecting means are formed on these inturned edges and in the grooves to form a detachable connection between the lips and jaw sections. This connection is such that when the jaw sections are relatively moved, the clamping lips of the casing will be moved in unison therewith. Consequently, by moving the two grip members 2| toward each other, the clamping lips of the casing will be spread apart suiiiciently to enable the casing to be positioned over a curler.

Spring means 23 is provided between the grip members 2| which normally tends to maintain the clamping lips of the casing in clamping relation through the medium, of course, of the rigid jaw sections 20.

At the outer side of each jaw section 20 I provide a spacer clamp member 24 formed of sheet material of suitable qualities, which spacer clamp members lie closely adjacent to the outer surfaces of the jaws 20 and which extend outwardly a spaced distance from the inturned edges of the jaw members 20. At this point the spacer clamp members are inturned to provide clamping edges 25 which are arranged parallel to and at a spaced distance outwardly from the clamping lips of the casing II. It will be noticed that the clamping edges 25 of the spacer clamp members are provided with detachable rubber covers as illustrated.

The spacer clamp members are slightly resilient so that the clamping lips Ma and I8!) of the casing I I and the spacer clamping edges 25 will both tightly grip a strand of hair regardless of whether the thickness of the strand of hair is greater at the point where it is gripped by the spacer clamp than at the point where it is gripped by the clamping lips of the casing H.

For use in connection with this heater unit I provide a curler spindle 26 most clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. This curler spindle-has a curling surface which is a hyperboloid of revolution with its larger diameter at its ends. At each extremity the curler spindle 26 is formed with an enlarged circular head 21, between which heads and the curling surface the spindle is formed with bearing pins 28 which are reduced in diameter relative to the end of the adjacent curling surface. The

diameter of these bearing pins 28 is just slightly greater than the circular openings l1 formed in the end walls of the casing, so that when the casing H is arranged over the curler, the edges of the circular openings I! will register with the bearing pins 28 and yieldably grip them so as to maintain the curler concentrical y Within the curling chamber and prevent the curler from rotating. It should be stated that this yieldable gripping action between the edges of the openings I l and the bearing pins 28 enables the curler. to be turned by manually gripping one end thereon to take up any slack in the hair after the curler has been positioned and gripped within the casing ll.

Pivoted at one end to the curling surface of the spindle 26 is a clamping tongue 29 arranged to lie closely adjacent to the curling surface of the curler spindle to enable the end of a strand of hair to be clamped to the spindle at the beginning of the winding operation.

I contemplate using heat generated electrically or by chemical reaction within the heating unit to effect the permanency of the wave, both methods being commonly used 'at the present time in this art. In utilizing heat generated electrically, the curler spindle 26 is formed interiorly with an electrical heating element, which element is fitted with two contact tongues 30 projecting from one end thereof as illustrated for detachable connection with a socket connected by a conductor cord to a source of electrical supply.

When it is intended to use heat generated by chemical reaction, I employ apparatus such as described and claimed in a companion application entitled Method and apparatus for hair waving, filed May 16, 1936, bearing Ser. No. 80,128.

When I generate heat within the casing l l electrically, an absorbent cartridge 32 is dipped in the same solution that the hair is treated with and placed in the heating chamber of the casing II. The heat generated in the casing, due to the electrical heating element in the curler, vaporizes the solution, creating the hot vapors essential to give permanency to the wave. The absorbent cartridge may be of any suitable absorbent material.

In operation of my apparatus, it is constructed substantially as illustrated and described. The hair is treated with the proper solution, the strength of which determines the tightness of the wave. The hair is then divided into strands and each strand is wound on a curler 25 from its outer end to the scalp. A heating unit is then applied over the curler with the circular openings l1 receiving the bearing pins 28 and securing the curler with the hair wound thereon concentrically within the curling chamber of the casing H. In the event that electrically generated heat is to be utilized, a cartridge soaked in the same solution that the hair was treated with would first be inserted into the heating chamber of the casing.

It is obvious that as soon as the heating unit is applied to the curler that the strand will be tightly clamped just beneath the curler by the clamping lips of the casing l i urged toward each other by the spring-pressed jaws comprising the frame of the unit. Likewise, the spacer clamping edges 25 will tightly grip the strand closely adjacent to the scalp, maintaining a spacing between the scalp and the clamping lips of the casing. This provides a double seal to prevent any escaping hot vapors from contacting. the scalp.

It is obvious that due to the provision of these clamping devices formed as an integral part of the heater unit, that the operations of previously applying protector clamps and pads has been eliminated,thus eflecting a considerable saving of the operator's time- Likewise, by eliminating the use'of protector clamps and pads, the strands of hair are not bunched at the scalp so that the wave will be spaced a uniformly close distance to the scalp, thus giving a more natural appearance and effect.

It should also be pointed out that my heating unit with its clamping mediums will be considerably lighter in weight than the combined weights of prior heaters, clamps and protector pads. consequently lessening the discomflture of the permanent waving operations.

After the heating unit has been applied to the curler as previously described, the curler may be slightly turned by manually gripping one of the heads thereon to take up any slack on the hair wound thereon. The yielding gripping action between the edges of the openings I1 and the bearing pins 28 on the curlers will maintain the curler in a set position.

In the event that the heat within the casing is to be generated electrically, the curler is connected with a source of electricity as previously described and maintained for a sufllcient period of time to give permanency to the curl. The supply of fluid within the casing H, which is greater than now utilized, maintains an even steaming temperature and results in a superior wave.

After the hair has been properly steamed, to remove the heating unit it is only necessary to grip the grip members and spread the jaw members of the frame and remove the unit from the curler. The curler is then unwound and detached from the hair and the wave is ready for setting.

Here also an operation is saved in that the operator need not remove any clamps or protectors from the head, consequently expediting the entire operation of giving a "permanent wave to a head of hair.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided an improved and highly efllcient apparatus for use in practicing the Croquignole method of "permanent" waving, by which apparatus I am enabled to produce a superior form of wave. Likewise, it is apparent that my improved apparatus overcomes the shortcomings of prior apparatus heretofore employed in that it reduces and simplifies the operations required to effect such a wave and therefore minimizes the time required to wave a head of hair.

Further, I desire to point out that by the use of my apparatus, a greater number of curlers may be applied to a given head of hair than could be applied by use of prior methods and apparatus so that the wave which I produce will be closely and uniformly spaced from the scalp.

Further, by use of my apparatus the weight on the head is less than the weight applied by prior methods, and consequently minimizes the discomfort of the permanent" waving operations.

While I have shown the preferred form of my apparatus, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in its construction by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I' claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A heater unit for hair waving apparatus comprising a hollow casing, the interior thereof forming a curling chamber in which a curler may be disposed, said casing being divided longitudinally of said curling chamber to form 'opposed clamping lips at one side of said chamber, a pair of opposed clamping members arranged parallel to and in alignment with said lips and spaced a distance outwardly therefrom, and a frame operatively associated with said clamping lips and with the said clamping members to manipulate the same in unison.

2. A hair waving apparatus comprising a heater unit including a hollow casing, the interior of which forms a charging chamber and a curling chamber lying side by side in parallelism and in direct communication, said casing being divided longitudinally of the curling chamber to form a pair of opposed clamping lips at one side of said chamber which may be spread apart to open the curling chamber for the insertion of a curler spindle. said casing being formed of resilient mato ial, a pair of articulately connected rigid jaw members embracing said casing and connected thereto at said lips and normally urging said lips toward each other, a pair of spacer clamp members carried by said Jaws and having clamping edges disposed parallel to and in alignment with said clamping lips, said clamping edges disposed at a spaced distance from said clamping lips, said spacer clamp members being yielding in the direction in which the clamping lips move relative to each other.

3. A heater unit for hair waving apparatus comprising a hollow casing formed of flexible material, the interior thereof forming an elongated curling chamber in which a curler spindle may be disposed, said casing being divided longitudinally of said curling chamber to form opposed clamping lips at one side of said chamber, a pair of opposed clamping members arranged parallel to and in alignment with said lips and spaced a distance outwardly therefrom, and a pair of articulately connected jaws operatively associated with said clamping lips and with the said clamping members to manipulate the same in unison.

- 4. A hair waving apparatus comprising a heater unit including a hollow casing, the interior thereof forming an elongated curling chamber, said casing having aligned openings at opposite ends of said chamber and substantially coaxially' thereof, a curler spindle having ends adapted to be yieldably gripped in said openings whereby it will be supported substantially coaxially within said chamber, said casing being divided longitudinally of said curling chamber and centrally of said openings and forming a pair of opposed clamping lips, a pair of opposed clamping members arranged in alignment and in parallelllsm to said lips at a spaced distance therefrom, and an operative connection between said lips and said members whereby they will operate in unison.

5. A hair waving apparatus comprising a heater unit including a hollow casing formed of vulcanized rubber, the interior of which forms an elongated curling chamber, said casing having aligned openings at opposite ends of said chamber and substantially coaxially thereof, a curler spindle having ends adapted to be received in said openings whereby it will be supported substantially coaxially within said chamber, said casing being divided longitudnally of the curling chamber and substantially centrally of the openings at one side thereof to form a pair of opposed clamping lips, a frame embracing said casing and including a pair of rigid side sections articulately connected, said side sections being connected with said casing at said clamping lips, springs means associated with said side sections constantly tending to urge said clamping lips toward each other, and spacer clamping members carried by said side sections, said members being yielding in the direction in which said sections are relatively movable. I

6. A hair waving apparatus comprising a heater unit including a hollow'casing, the interior of which forms a charging chamber and a curling chamber lying side by side in parallellism and in direct communication, said casing being divided longitudnally of the curling chamber to form a pair of opposed clamping lips at one side of said chamber which may be spread apart to open the curling chamber for the insertion of a curler spindle, a pair of articulately connected rigid members connected with said casing and connected thereto at said lips and normally urging said lips toward each other, a pair of spacer clamp members carried by said rigid members and having clamping edges disposed parallel to and in alignment with said clamping lips, said clamping edges disposed at a spaced distance from said clamping lips, means for charging said charging chamber with moisture, and means for generating heat within said casing.

'7. A hair waving apparatus comprising a heater unit including a hollow casing, the interior of which forms a charging chamber and a curling chamber lying side by side in parallelism and in direct communication, said casing being divided longitudinally of the curling chamber to form a pair of opposed clamping lips at one side of said chamber which may be spread apart to open the curling chamber for the insertion of a curler spindle, said casing being formed of resilient material, a pair of articulately connected rigid jaw members embracing said casing and connected thereto at said lips and normally urging said lips toward each other, a pair of spacer clamp members carried by said jaws and having clamping edges disposed parallel to and'in alignment with said clamping lips, said clamping edges disposed .at a spaced distance from said clamping lips, said spacer clamp members being yielding in the direction in which the clamping lips move relative to each other, a moisture charging cartridge removably fitting said charging chamber, and means for generating heat within the interior of said casing.

8. A hair waving apparatus comprising a heater unit including a hollow casing, the interior of which forms a heating chamber and a curling chamber lying side by side in parallelism and in direct communication, said casing being divided longitudinally of the curling chamber to form a pair of opposed clamping lips at one side of said chamber which may be spread apart to open the curling chamber for the insertion of a curler spindle, a pair of articulately connected rigid members connected with said casing and connected thereto at said lips and normally urging said lips toward each other, a pair of spacer clamp members carried by said rigid members and having clamping edges disposed parallel to and in alignment with said clamping lips, said clamping edges disposed at a spaced distance from said clamping lips, and an exothermic heating element insertable into said heating chamber.

9. A hair waving apparatus comprising a heater unit including a hollow casing, the interior of which forms a longitudinally disposed heating chamber and a longitudinally disposed curling chamber lying side by side in parallelism and in direct communication, said casing being divided longitudinally of the curling chamber at the side thereof opposite the heating chamber to form a pair of opposed clamping lips which may be spread apart to open the curling chamber for the insertion of a curler spindle, said casing being formed of resilient material, a pair of articulately connected rigid jaw members embracing said casing and connected thereto at said lips and normally urging said lips toward each other, a pair of spacer clamp members carried by said jaws and having clamping edges disposed parallel to and in alignment with said clamping lips, said clamping edges disposed at a spaced distance from said clamping lips, said spacer clamp members being yielding in the direction in which the clamping lips move relative to each other, and an exothermic heating element removably fitting said heating chamber.

RALPH M. KEELE. 

